WO2015148912A1

WO2015148912A1 - Gripping aid

Info

Publication number: WO2015148912A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/022971
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig Becker
Original assignee: Dermasteel Inc.
Priority date: 2014-03-27
Filing date: 2015-03-27
Publication date: 2015-10-01

Abstract

A grip enhancing device for the hand, composed of a pad portion and durable components for fastening the pad portion to the palm of a person's hand, the durable components for fastening the pad portion to the hand including at least one of (1) an adhesive material and (2) a plurality of stringers constructed and adapted to pass between fingers of the user, the pad portion having a textured or a roughened outer surface capable of enhancing gripping, the pad portion having a forward edge of a circular arc, or semi-circular, or convex shape constructed and adapted to be placed at the forward most part of the user's hand adjacent the fingers.

Description

GRIPPING AID

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to enhancing a person's grip, and more particularly to a device used in conjunction with the person's hand, which enhances the user's grip.

Background of Invention

[0002] The need exists for improving a person's grip, and more particularly a device intended for use in applications that require dexterity and freedom of movement that would otherwise be inhibited by a glove. Insofar as is known, no devices are particularly designed for and adapted to a person's grip, and particularly for use in various military training and combat applications, and for professional occupations, sport and leisure activities.

[0003] Gloves have been typically used in these environments; however, gloves can pose significant disadvantages to the wearer, e.g. limited dexterity, restricted movement, discomfort, and inadequate protection from hand injury and calluses. Athletic tape has also been used, but athletic tape provides the same or similar disadvantages. Various sprays and powders have also been used to find a solution to slippery handgrips on tennis rackets and the like, but such sprays and powders are also inadequate.

[0004] A number of patents have been granted on protective pads of various types for the hands, but such devices are not designed for and are not adequate for a main purpose of the present invention, namely improving the user's grip. See for example the published application of Johnson, 2011/0126336, directed to a protective glove inner liner. A similar protective device for the hand is disclosed in Estrade USP 8,065,749. Other hand protective devices are disclosed in Sidlo USP 6,757,915; Wagner USP 3,971,374; Pang USP 3,896,498 and Sidlo 2004/0010834. Najac USP 5,479,660 discloses an exercise glove having a rectangular palm structure.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to improve a person's gripping of devices and objects.

[0006] It is another object to provide a device for improving a person's ability to grip.

[0007] It is a further advantage to preferably provide a gripping device which provides a durable means for fastening the gripping device on the back of the user' s hand.

[0008] It is yet another object of the invention is to provide a gripping device, which provides maximal range for motion of the fingers.

[0009] It is still a further advantage to provide a gripping device for use in applications that require dexterity and freedom of movement, which would otherwise be inhibited by a glove.

[0010] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved gripping device particularly geared to military special operations and applications that require dexterity in the fingers and full range of motion, while still requiring enhanced grip.

[0011] Yet additional objects are to provide improved gripping devices for use in sports such as golf, tennis, weightlifting, gymnastics, rock climbing, football, baseball, softball or any similar activity requiring dexterity in the fingers.

[0012] The above noted objects are not to imply that a device according to the present invention meets or fulfills all the above noted objectives. [0013] A gripping device according to the present invention is characterized by having a palm pad which extends all the way to the base of the four fingers in a circular arc, semicircular, or convex construction, wherein the palm pad is relatively thin, e.g. 4-5 mm or thinner, and has a textured or rough surface to enhance gripping, and which preferably has means or a mechanism such that it includes stringers, strip portions or the like which pass from the forward semi-circular or convex end of the palm pad and in between the fingers, and which wrap around the back of the hand to provide durable fastening while still providing maximal range of movement for the fingers.

[0014] The above objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment, taken in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention in flat form, before Application to the hand of a user.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a left hand of a user to which the embodiment of Fig. 1 is applied, entitled "Tab fold sequence."

[0017] Fig. 3 shows the backs of a left hand and right hand, side by side, illustrating attachment of the means of Figs. 1 and 2.

Detailed Description of Presently Preferred Embodiment

[0018] A presently preferred embodiment of a device 10 for grip enhancing is shown in Figs. 1-3 The grip enhancing device 10 is a device structured so that it wraps around the back 12 of the hand 14 and passes between the first and second, second and third, and third and fourth fingers as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, providing durable fastening to the hand without inhibiting range of motion of the fingers. The grip -enhancing device 10 comprises a main portion that will extend around the hand, a pad portion 16 integral with, or fastened to, the main portion, three "stringers" or strip portions 18 extending from a central part of the main portion, and two side extensions 20. Side extensions 20 constitute the ends of the main portion. The stringers or strip portions 18 pass between the fingers as indicated above, and the side extensions 20 wrap around the back of the hand as shown in Fig. 3, over the stringers 18. Strip portions 18 and side extensions 20 constitute fastening means for the device.

[0019] An important feature of the present invention is the shape of the grip enhancer 10, and particularly the forward or front part of the pad portion 16 which forms a generally circular arc, semi-circular or convex shape which is constructed and adapted to be placed as shown in Fig. 2 to extend to and abutting against the base of the fingers. Thus, the forward end 22 of the pad 16 extends substantially entirely to a location between the palm of the hand and the fingers to provide maximum gripping. An additional benefit is that the pad 16 provides protection to the upper or forward part of the palm of the hand.

[0020] To further enhance the primary function of enhanced gripping, the pad 16 is provided with a textured or roughened outer surface, i.e., the surface facing away from the hand. To ensure optimum grip enhancement across a variety of applications, pad 16 can be constructed of materials similar, to or dissimilar from, materials of the remainder of grip enhancing device 10. Materials suitable for the pad portion 16 can be integral with the remainder of the gripping device 10, or instead can be a separate material attached to the remainder of the device 10. Some examples of materials for device 10 are, but not limited to, cloth, synthetics, leather, suede, rubber, and flame-resistant meta- aramid material, such as marketed under the trademark NOMEX®. Pad portion 16 may be made of a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive backed gripping material provided with rmcrogripping fingers, such as 3M® Gripping Material TB400. This material is described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,610,382, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0021] To ensure that the grip enhancing device 10 stays in place on the hand, it comprises, on the inner surface, i.e., the surface facing the hand, an adhesive backer material, preferably a water proof adhesive, such adhesives being commonly known and used in conjunction with athletic tape, surgical tape and various other types of adhesive tapes. It is desirable that the entire inner surface of the grip enhancer 10 be provided with such adhesive, although the adhesive need be provided only in selected areas, such as beneath the pad 16 portion and on the inside of the strips 18 and side extensions 20.

[0022] Unlike prior constructions focused on protective devices, the three, smaller/middle strip portions 18 of the fastening means are shaped asymmetrically (narrow at the base, wider at the top). The width at the base of each strip portion 18 is tapered to allow an ergonomic fit when folded over each fingers' "web". Additionally, the tops of the extensions have an increased surface area, or width, designed for a more secure attachment (i.e., more surface area of adhesive material) to the back of the hand. Another key factor is that the bases of strip portions 18 are radiused, or curved, as opposed to being at 90-degree angles to the main portion of device 10, again to aid in an ergonomic fit to the hand and limit tearing or loss of adhesion during use.

[0023] It will be understood that the grip enhancing device 10 according to the present invention can be made available in different sizes, such as small, medium and large, comparable in size to standard glove sizes. Youth sizing can also be made available.

[0024] The grip-enhancing device 10 can be made in a single use, disposable material, or it can be made of more permanent and durable material to last through several hours of continuous use, or for reuse several times, depending on the adhesive layer. Regardless, initial application of the grip enhancing device 10 to the hands should occur preferably after the hands are cleaned, such as with a sanitizing wipe.

[0025] The grip-enhancing device 10 according to the present invention has uses in a wide variety of gripping situations, including military, industrial and recreational applications, including sports such as golf, tennis, weight lifting, gymnastics, rock climbing, football, baseball, softball, basketball etc. The gripping device 10 is useful in any environment where it may be necessary or desirable to enhance gripping while retaining dexterity of the fingers, preserving the range of motion of the hands and fingers without creating excessive heat and causing the hands to sweat.

[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without undue experimentation and without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials, and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention.

[0027] Thus the expression "means to..." and "means for...", or any method step language, as may be found in the specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure, or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above, i.e., other means or steps for carrying out the same functions can be used; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation.

Claims

CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

1. A grip enhancing device for the hand, comprising a pad portion and durable means for fastening the pad portion to the palm of a person's hand, the durable means for fastening the pad portion to the hand comprising at least one of (1) an adhesive material and (2) a plurality of stringers constructed and adapted to pass between fingers of the user, the pad portion having a textured or a roughened outer surface capable of enhancing gripping, the pad portion having a forward edge of a circular arc, or semi-circular, or convex shape constructed and adapted to be placed at the forward most part of the user's hand adjacent the fingers.

2. The gripping device of claim 1 wherein the durable means for fastening the gripping device to the back of the user's hand comprises both the adhesive and the stringers.

3. The gripping device of claim 2 wherein the stringers comprise a first stringer constructed and adapted to pass between the first and second fingers, a second stringer adapted to pass between the second and third fingers, and a third stringer adapted to pass between the third and fourth fingers, and further comprising two side extensions adapted and constructed to pass over the stringers when the grip enhancing device is applied to the hand of the user.

4. The device of claim 3 applied to a hand of a user with the forward edge of the pad portion placed against the forward most part of the user's hand adjacent the base of the user's fingers.

5. The device of claim 2 applied to a hand of a user with the forward edge of the pad portion placed against the forward most part of the user's hand adjacent the base of the user's fingers.

6. The device of claim 1 applied to a hand of a user with the forward edge of the pad portion placed against the forward most part of the user's hand adjacent the base of the user's fingers.

7. The gripping device of claim 1 wherein the stringers comprise a first stringer constructed and adapted to pass between the first and second fingers, a second stringer adapted to pass between the second and third fingers, and a third stringer adapted to pass between the third and fourth fingers, and further comprising two side extensions adapted and constructed to pass over the stringers when the grip enhancing device is applied to the hand of the user.

8. A method of enhancing gripping, comprising applying a gripping device in accordance with claim 1 to a hand of a user with a front edge of the pad portion of the gripping device applied to the palm of the user's hand adjacent the base of at least the first through third fingers.

9. A method of enhancing gripping, comprising applying a gripping device in accordance with claim 2 to a hand of a user with a front edge of the pad portion of the gripping device applied to the palm of the user's hand adjacent the base of at least the first through third fingers.

10. A method of enhancing gripping, comprising applying a gripping device in accordance with claim 3 to a hand of a user with a front edge of the pad portion of the gripping device applied to the palm of the user's hand adjacent the base of at least the first through third fingers.